Wilkinson tips Socceroos to go for broke against Jordan

Australia defender Alex Wilkinson is convinced coach Ange Postecoglou will go for the jugular in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan because the Socceroos want to make a statement at the home of their major group rival.

Wilkinson

Alex Wilkinson in action against China during the 2015 Asian Cup Source: Getty Images

Group B leader Australia faces the second-placed Jordanians in Amman on 9 October (AEST) as the race for qualification for the final phase hots up.

The Socceroos lead the group with maximum points from three matches and victory in Amman would set them up nicely for a spot in the last phase of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"Either way I don't think if we beat Jordan we will have qualified because we will still need to win a few more games," Wikinson said.

"The message from the boss is always to take it one game at a time but also to send a statement to our regional rivals.

"He wants to not only qualify but to do it in the best way possible. That means winning as many games as possible and concentrating on playing the style of football that he wants."

The Australians would be keen to wrap up the group as quickly as possible and Wilkinson said there is no way Postecoglou would let any degree of complacency creep into the squad if an early qualification is secured.

"I don't think the boss would ever let standards drop," Wilkinson said.

"There is a quite a lot of depth in each position at the moment and every time you step on the pitch you are playing to keep your spot in the team.

"Qualifying early would breed confidence because by qualifying we are obviously winning games and ultimately that's what World Cup qualifiers are about: results."

Wilkinson played every minute of Australia's three matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but performed only a peripheral role in the Socceroos' 2015 AFC Asian Cup triumph.

He recognises it is getting harder for him to add to his 15 caps due to the increased competition in the squad, particularly in his central defensive role.

"Yes, I think there is competition all over the park," he said.

"At the back there is obviously myself, Matthew Spiranovic, Trent Sainsbury, Bailey Wright and Ryan McGowan in this camp.

"But we have also seen Luke Devere and Tomislav Mrcela come in recently. Then there is Curtis Good and Rhys Williams when they are fit, so I think there is definitely some strong depth there."

Wilkinson said he did not know what the future held for him once his three-year contract with Korean club Jeonbuk Motors comes to an end in December.

At 31 years of age, he has plenty of football left in him and while Wilkinson has already stated he would rather not continue playing in Korea, his future will all depend on what's available in the A-League.

"To be honest I'm not sure. If or when I decide I want to come back and play in the A-League who knows what team it will be," Wilkinson said.

"It depends on a number of factors I guess. Obviously I had a great time with Central Coast Mariners in the past and I still have a soft spot for the club because of the number of years I played there. But I'm not sure what the future holds for me yet.

"I had a great time up at the Mariners with Graham Arnold. He's a great coach and a very successful one. But once again, if and when I decide to come home then, it will all depend on which teams are interested or have a spot for me."

Wilkinson is at a stage in his career where his destiny lies in other people's hands but he is not complaining, especially after a successful stint with Jeonbuk where he has won one league championship and is poised to win another this season.

"I guess this is part of football. Contracts end and there is always that period of uncertainty," he said.

"I'm not worried about it. I'm confident I will have some options come the end of the season.

"Obviously it's not an ideal situation for the family as my wife would like to know where we will be living next year. But hopefully it will sort itself out fairly quickly come December." 


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4 min read
Published 29 September 2015 5:00pm
Updated 29 September 2015 5:58pm
By Philip Micallef
Source: SBS


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